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‘You Already Have So Many Good Players’ — Masajedi Backs Nigeria’s Volleyball Talent For African Championship
Newly appointed Nigeria volleyball Technical Adviser Ryan Masajedi says the country has an abundance of talented players, but believes greater attention to fundamentals and positional discipline could help the national team compete strongly at the 2026 African Women’s Nations Volleyball Championship in Nairobi.
The Japanese tactician, who was unveiled by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation earlier this month, has immediately taken charge of preparations for the women’s senior team ahead of the continental championship, which begins in Nairobi on August 23. The tournament runs until September 5 and brings together 16 of Africa’s leading women’s volleyball nations.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Volleyball Development Excites NVBF’s NewTechnical Adviser Ryan Masajedi
Masajedi, who has previously worked with teams in Japan, Iran, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Italy, said he has been impressed by what he has seen from the Nigerian players since beginning work with the team. His coaching background includes a spell as assistant coach at Allianz Milano before taking up the Nigeria assignment.
“You already have so many good, talented and physically strong players,” Masajedi said.
“The only thing we were missing was the basic things, the fundamental techniques, which are most important.”
The 47-year-old coach explained that much of the team’s preparation has focused on ensuring that players understand exactly what is required of them in their respective positions.
“For each position, we made everything clear,” he said. “I was very happy with their efforts during this first period, and they have been developing well.”
Masajedi’s approach represents a significant change in Nigeria’s preparation, with the federation bringing in an experienced foreign technical adviser to strengthen the national teams ahead of major international competitions.
Nigeria Volleyball Federation president Musa Nimrod said the Japanese coach would work not only with the senior women’s team but also with the men’s national team and the federation’s wider development programmes.
“Coach Ryan Masajedi will immediately join the national women’s team in camp as preparations continue for the 2026 African Nations Championship in Kenya,” Nimrod said at the coach’s unveiling.
“He will also take charge of the men’s national team for the African Nations Championship in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The federation has also given Masajedi a broader development mandate, including visiting Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to identify young talent and work with local coaches.
That long-term objective appears to fit the coach’s philosophy, with Masajedi stressing the importance of building players from the fundamentals upwards rather than relying solely on physical ability.
Nigeria’s immediate challenge, however, is in Nairobi, where the country will face some of the strongest teams on the continent.
The 2026 African Women’s Nations Volleyball Championship features 16 nations, including defending champions Kenya, Egypt, Cameroon, Rwanda, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco and Uganda.
The stakes are also considerably higher than the African title alone.
The championship forms part of the qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 2027 FIVB Women’s World Championship. Under the continental qualification system, the African champion earns an Olympic quota, while the leading eligible teams can secure places at the 2027 World Championship.
Masajedi therefore knows his first major assignment with Nigeria carries enormous significance.
But after several weeks working with the players, the Japanese coach believes the raw material is already there.
“The players have been developing well,” he said, pointing to the response he has received from the squad during the intensive preparation period.
With Nigeria now heading into one of the biggest women’s volleyball tournaments on the continent, Masajedi’s challenge is to turn that talent into results — and potentially put Nigeria on the road to Los Angeles 2028.
Gunmen on Tuesday attacked vigilantes on duty in Tudun-Mazat village, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing two and injuring another.
Kefas Mallai, a youth leader and the chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos told Peoples Gazette on Wednesday that the gunmen attacked the security men at about 10:00 p.m.
“At about 10:00 p.m. yesterday, some terrorists attacked the local vigilante on duty at Tudun-Mazat village also known as NTV of Barkin Ladi LGA, Plateau State leading to the death of two local vigilantes and one injured”, he told The Gazette.
According to him, the attacked village is along Bokkos road in the state.
Alfred Alabo, the state police spokesperson, was not available for comment. Text and WhatsApp messages sent to him remained unanswered as of press time.
On August 18, The Gazette reported that gunmen invaded Bin-Per community in Kombum district of Mangu council and killed 23 persons including women and children.
Similarly on June 16, diver miners were killed at a mining site in Gero village, Gyel district of Jos South local council of the state.
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